Western Roads Wednesday

This Wednesday finds Hudson 3463 heading east with the Fast Mail Express.

Meanwhile El Capitan heads west, lead by DL109 number 50.

I wish I could say I took these photos, but I didn't. Here are some photos of the Santa Cruz Big Trees and Pacific Railroad in Santa Cruz, California. The SCBT&P utilizes two former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe CF7 locomotives as its current motive power #2600 and #2641. These former EMD F7 units were rebuilt (rebodied) by the Santa Fe at their Cleburne, Texas shops to their current, more practical arrangement following the end of passenger service. The ride to and from Roaring Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountain and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a great scenic excursion. Then you can play at the Boardwalk for a few hours. I have ridden this train many times!

Through the Redwoods:

Cruising down Beach Street at Pacific Avenue leaving the Boardwalk:

Right down the middle of Chestnut Street:

Happy Western Roads Wednesday!!

Well its already  0900 here in Texas so I may be late but then again, its only 0700 in California so maybe not too late.  Some simple offerings today as I comb my archives for suitable RR to this thread.

Here is a relatively recent Lionel Northern Pacific boxcar from the early MPC era, 1971-72.  Pulled by my K-line Santa Fe S-2 switcher.

Here is a much earlier, pre-war, 1937-42 Colorado and Southern Refer by Marx.

Remember its "HUMP" day!  Best wishes everyone

Don

Rusty

"These former EMD F7 units were rebuilt (rebodied) by the Santa Fe at their Cleburne, Texas shops to their current, more practical arrangement following the end of passenger service. "

Maybe more practical, but "butt ugly" compared to the beautiful lines of an F7. It's my opinion, but I stand by it.

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

The SCBT&P utilizes two former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe CF7 locomotives as its current motive power #2600 and #2641. These former EMD F7 units were rebuilt (rebodied) by the Santa Fe at their Cleburne, Texas shops to their current, more practical arrangement following the end of passenger service.

As a FYI the ATSF rostered far more F3s/F7s/F9s for freight service than passenger service (contrary to what model train manufactures would have you believe ), all painted in the blue and yellow freight scheme. The bulk of the CF7s were former freight F units, which far out numbered the "Warbonnet" passenger F3s/F7s.

More than you ever wanted to know about ATSF FT/F3/F7/F9 locomotives:

Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society - The F-Unit Pages (atsfrr.org)

HUMP DAY!

How about some Western Piggybacks

@Lou1985 posted:

As a FYI the ATSF rostered far more F3s/F7s/F9s for freight service than passenger service (contrary to what model train manufactures would have you believe ), all painted in the blue and yellow freight scheme. The bulk of the CF7s were former freight F units, which far out numbered the "Warbonnet" passenger F3s/F7s.

More than you ever wanted to know about ATSF FT/F3/F7/F9 locomotives:

Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society - The F-Unit Pages (atsfrr.org)

Actually, Santa Fe passenger F3's outnumbered the freight F3's.  There were only two sets of freight F3's: 200LABC and 201LABC.  The 16 Class passenger F3's numbered from 16LABC to 34LABC.

Rusty

@Rusty Traque posted:

Actually, Santa Fe passenger F3's outnumbered the freight F3's.  There were only two sets of freight F3's: 200LABC and 201LABC.  The 16 Class passenger F3's numbered from 16LABC to 34LABC.

Rusty

Yes. But I said "ATSF rostered far more F3s/F7s/F9s for freight service than passenger service". So I was including all EMD F units, not just F3s .

Happy Wednesday. Here's a short Santa Fe Chief video!

Just outside of Bozeman, MT in September, 2019...the "Oracle of Omaha" had the right idea when he got into the railroad business...

@RoyBoy posted:

"These former EMD F7 units were rebuilt (rebodied) by the Santa Fe at their Cleburne, Texas shops to their current, more practical arrangement following the end of passenger service. "

Maybe more practical, but "butt ugly" compared to the beautiful lines of an F7. It's my opinion, but I stand by it.

Royboy, I totally agree, F3/F7 covered wagons are my favorite diesel locomotives and I have two Santa Fe F3's. One AA and one ABA set. If I ever find an AA or ABA set of Southern Pacific Black Windows or Western Pacific in Legacy, I will be a happy man! And I agree the SCBT&P CF7's are, "Butt Ugly", but they give a great ride in the Santa Cruz mountains, so I'm not gonna complain.

Fast moving coal train. Moving east at Medora, North Dakota. I think the building was a station although not marked. This was Milwaukee road at one time?? He kind of snuck up on me too. Duh, further research shows this was not Milwaukee but was Northern Pacific.  This building was not the depot either as that was converted to a home.  Noted also that the original Depot was located on the west side of the Little Missouri river which is just west of Medora.  The next year it was moved to the new town of Medora. Beautiful part of the US in the fall, especially if you like big horizons. 

This Wednesday we've got some Southern Pacific action.

The Golden State heads west lead by GS6 #4460.

Later on a string of Pacific Fruit Express refrigerator cars, lead by an ABA set of F3s, heads east with a citrus harvest.

Rusty

The only On3 I own, but a really nice brass stock car by Empire Midland.

Well folks it seems like its been awhile since we posted to this thread, so I thought I would try.  Here is my shot of BNSF double stack train moving east through Crawford, Texas in late May of 2021.

Best wishes for a good rest of the week

Don

Happy Wednesday!

Some new SF blue birds.

Looks right at home next to his cousin.

Santa Fe cop and hobo gondola car by Williams.

Preparing to board the El Capitan as it pulls in to Union Station

Union Pacific time. FEF #844 leads The Overland Limited westbound.

Meanwhile an ABA set of Alco FAs lead some PFE refrigerator cars east.

Well WRW fans, it is almost "Turkey Day" and I bet your household like mine is now just beginning to "hum" with meal preparation and other pre-Holiday activities.  Our son and family including 2 dogs arrived last night, so the household is brim full today so this will have to be quick so I can get back to my "honey do" list for tomorrow.

How about some miscellaneous UP pictures.  Lionel and Marx both liked the UP and made a  number of trains with their livery so here are some that I have collected over the years.

The K-line MP-15 switcher.

The Lionel 2023 Alco FA  AA units

An early Lionel MPC boxcar from 1970

Dual headed, Marx 1998 UP Alco S3's pulling a freight.

Finally the Marx UP E7 A & B from 1960.

Well here is hoping you all enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving and for our non-US folks, a great weekend .

Best wishes

Don

Keeping with the UP theme:

Rusty

Well I guess I will start up on this fine Wednesday...today posting some pictures of Western Pacific trains, these all from Marx in the 1950's

First the Marx, Western Pacific E-7 the A units were made between 1956-1960 but the B unit (which took me forever to find) was only available in 1957-58.

The Marx #5586 Western Pacific work caboose, only available in 1957.

Well Happy Wednesday to all... hope you are having a good week

Don

Pretty western road I'd say.

Well Yellowstone, great pictures of  UP locomotives and rolling stock.  So I thought I would add to your display with some toy trains from the same RR.

First the Lionel #2023 UP Alco AA from 1950-51

Next a Marx  UP E-7 A & B from 1960

Finally a double headed Marx #1998  UP Alco S-3's  from 1955-1962

Best wishes to everyone on "HUMP" day...W.R.W.

Don

Thank you, Don. You have some nice Union Pacific trains there.

Don @Don McErlean  and Vern @Yellowstone Special I will add my #2023 UP ALCO’s especially with their infamous “Hump” day. And add a  Rio Grande F3 #2379. Get pics guys.

Well here it is Wednesday and I seem to be the first to post.  Well, I am afraid that I don't have anything too fabulous for you today but I do have a "fun" item.  This Marx 3824 UP caboose was made as late as about 1972 when the last production of the 6" cars occurred.  I just purchased this at our Plano Train Show, not because it was rare or unusual but because it was in such excellent condition.  For an item in the toy world, some 50 years old, it was near perfect so I could not resist.  Anyway so here is my "new" 50+ year old UP caboose.

Here she is with my Williams UP 44 ton diesel.  Can't couple them up as yet but a simple paper clip adapter will take care of that later today.

Happy "HUMP DAY" everyone.  Best wishes

Don

Still Wednesday central time. Just a few of my Santa Fe locomotives mulling about.

Western Roads Wednesday:

Southern Pacific F3 and western freight train.

@WP posted:

Western Roads Wednesday:

Southern Pacific F3 and western freight train.

Love the black widows.

SP and ATSF.

Well I seem to be the first poster for this Wed.  Here is a very short video of my Williams UP GE-44 Ton engine pulling a short freight through "Small Town" on the L&S.

Best wishes for "hump" day!!

Don

ScaleCraft Wood reefers, SF and WP  Probably built 70-80 years ago.

And a couple of Lobaugh Prewar steel side Ice Reefers.. Natural weathering..... lmao

And some Athearn SP, WP, SF, and PFE...  Love that natural weathering on the WP Feather car.

Some Union Pacific Challenger action this Wednesday.